Azerbaijani scientists to discuss in Italy problems of protection and restoration of Islamic architecture legacy

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. A scientific conference on the theme “Problems of Protection & Restoration of Islamic Architecture Legacy” is to be held in Florence, Italy, on 1-5 December.


The National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan informs that the event participants are to cover the issues of preservation of Moslem sanctuaries and ways of protection of samples of Islamic art of building.


“The conference will involve architecture scientists from Russia, France, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, and other countries. Azerbaijan will be represented by director the Academy’s Institute of Oriental Studies Govkhar Bakhshaliyeva, director of the Institute of Architecture & Arts Ertekin Salamzadeh and rector of the Azerbaijan University of Architecture & Construction Gulchohra Mammadova,” the Academy reported.


The event organizers are the Azerbaijan University of Architecture & Construction, Florence University of the Arts and Italy’s Romualdo Del Bianco Foundation.


Source: http://abc.az/

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Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque

I am a big fan of Muslim architecture, especially when it comes to mosques. Often, enormous buildings like a mosque, temple, church, courthouse, and etc. symbolize power and strength. Being in the presence of the building makes you feel so small and bring forth a feeling of something more powerful than you in existence. However, when discussing mosques, I also get this other feeling that the building serves to be very welcoming. Where on one hand it seems so powerful, on the other hand it seems full of magnanimity. Another aspect that I always found interesting about mosques is the calligraphy, which can be seen on the exterior and interior of the building.

In most cases, mosques are designed in a traditional way. It is rare to see the design of mosques in collaboration with western culture. A recent architecture that lays out a very beautiful combination of Middle East and western culture in the form of a mosque is Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque. Traditional Islamic design is world renowned for its elegant geometric pattern and artistic harmony. Currently it is working in union with western practices to produce some eloquent work such as the Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque. Lastly, the eye-catching design of the courtyard floor makes the mosque stand out even more.

Some facts about the mosque:

• The mosque has the world's largest carpet at 7,119 square metres from Iran
• The world's largest chandelier from Germany made from one million Swarovski crystals
• It has 28 types of marble and 24-carat gold throughout
• The 22,412 square metre mosque site equates to around the size of five football fields.
• More than 3,000 workers and 38 renowned contracting companies took part in the construction work.
• The mosque has 82 domes all of traditional Moroccan design - all decorated with white marble.
• The main dome's outer shell is 32.8 metres in diameter and stands at a height of 70 metres from the inside and 85 metres from the outside. "
  

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Ecolodge/Laetitia Delubac and Christian Félix

Ecolodge is a holiday home in Siwa, Egypt. It is created by two Paris architects Laetitia Delubac and Christian Felix. The building is isolated from the city and it is constructed from local available materials, reducing the cost of the structure. A fascinating this about this building are the views it is surrounded by.

The main living room in the north is protected from direct sun. It opens onto a long pergola looking over the salt lake.

In the west, the guest rooms look over the Adrere Amellal. Varied views whether you are standing, sitting or lying down.

In the south, the façade evenly bored with minimal openings to the palm grove, rampart against sandy winds, borders staff quarters.

Finally in the west, towards the gates to desert, the garden and the swimming pool are isolated from the sole neighbor by a high wall in earth fissured on an ad hoc basis.

Image Source: DeZeen

View House

I really like the exterior structure of the house; the materials used in this house are concrete, anodized aluminum, plaster and hardwood. This marvelous looking house is located in the plains of Argentina. The stairs inside leads its way up to the roof, and the big size windows let in enough light to save on electricity, and could be use for air. Also, the big size of the windows really makes the building stand out. The house looked small to me from outside, but if you look at the inside pictures, it seems pretty big. I also like the white shades inside and the furniture that is used since it gives a classy modern look to it.

The design is driven by two conflicting desires: engaging the living experience of the house with the views of the surrounding landscape and preserving privacy from neighbors. (DeZeen)

Source of Pictures: DeZeen